Detroit's Breakthrough Towing doesn't have a license to operate

A spokeswoman for Michigan State Police confirms that the company failed to renew its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division license on time — which means the overzealous towing company won't be on the prowl in Midtown, at least any time soon. A CVED authority is required for the company to operate.

The MSP spokeswoman says the deadline for Breakthrough Towing to renew its CVED authority was Jan. 1, 2019. The company didn't submit the application until Friday, Feb. 8 — more than a month too late. The spokeswoman says the company is in the process of restoring its credentials.

It's the latest blemish for the company, which is accused of overzealous practices in Detroit and Hamtramck. Last week, the Midtown McDonad's announced it was severing ties with the company following a class action lawsuit on behalf of customers who say their vehicles were towed from the restaurant's small parking lot while they were inside. The company charges more than $400 to release vehicles back to their owners.

AAA also announced it was cutting ties with the company, and in November, Detroit's Buildings, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department slapped the company with 10 tickets relating to blight and code violations at its Detroit parking lot.

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